ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- School bells will ring before we know it. Rocky River High School has become known as a welcoming school and city to many foreign exchange students through the American Field Service (AFS).

Jack Seelie, owner of Once Upon a Time toy store on Detroit Road, recently set up a stand on the sidewalk outside his store to encourage people to try the wonderful experience of hosting a high school student from another county throughout the school year.

Seelie hosted Martin Krochdeal from the Czech Republic. He has nothing but praise for the program.

"Martin spoke perfect English," Seelie said, "and didn't interfere with my lifestyle at all. And the students at Rocky River High School really liked him."

Rocky River High School usually takes in four to five exchange students each year, while some schools in the Greater Cleveland area take as many as 10, according to AFS team development specialist Christina Kowalski, from Independence.

She joined the staff after volunteering for AFS since 2001. She has hosted students in her home five times in the past 17 years. She keeps in touch with some of the families. "Now I have extended 'family' all over the world," she said.

Time is short to host an AFS student for next school year, which is why Seelie set up the sidewalk stand. He urged passersby to take a look and give it a try.

Kowalski said the students' own parents pay their airfare and expenses while they are here, including spending money and medical insurance. The only responsibility of the host is to provide a bed and three meals a day.

A student can share a bedroom with a same-sex sibling, and many retired people whose children have moved on with their own lives find the experience very fulfilling. Kowalski wants people to know that hosting is also extended to same-sex couples and singles.

When asked what problems can arise, Kowalski said that sometimes a student becomes too homesick or just can't adapt or violates the rules. She said there are three main rules: no drugs, driving or hitchhiking. Any of those would mean "an automatic ticket home," she said.

The student also must show he or she is doing the work in school.

"We want them to do fun things, too," said Kowalski, "especially around holidays, to learn about living as an American."

She also noted that social media needs to be kept at a minimum because the student won't "have both feet in their American experience" if they are constantly communicating with their home country.

Kowalski said: "It is such a wonderful opportunity. It has been life changing for me."

Test the water, she urges, even by welcoming a student for just six to eight weeks as a trial period.

At any time, a host can report that the situation is just not working. "There is a lot of support," she said, and there is a volunteer liaison that stays in touch with the host person or family every month.

Seelie added that when he asked Martin why he wanted to come to America, he answered, "I am here for a year to learn to think like an American."

"Don't put the opportunity on the back burner," Seelie said. "Do it now."

Deadline is July 18. Anyone interested can contact Kowalski at 216-630-5848 or ckowalski@afsusa.org.